“Yeah, he’s pretty incredible.”
“Unlike someone else,” Mom muses darkly. “I can’t believe that silly, silly boy. I always knew he was bad news. I sensed it the first moment I saw him.”
“I know, Mom. I messed up. I should have listened to you and?—”
“Now, now, enough of that. If I did everything my mother told me when I was young, I probably would have ended up with a very different life. As much as I suspected he was bad news, sometimes, we just have to see the evidence for ourselves. And plus, if you never ended up with him, you might not have found your way to Cole.”
“That’s what I keep telling myself.”
“Is he okay? I’ve only skimmed over a few of the stupid articles, but from what I’ve picked up, his life hasn’t been as nice or as cozy as we’d all like to think.”
“He didn’t have a great childhood, something that he’s done his best to keep away from the media. But nothing can stay hidden forever, I guess. He’s okay, though. I’m sure something good will come out of it. He might not want to believe it, but he’s an inspiration to so many young people out there with dreams bigger than they think they’re able to achieve.”
Mom sighs down the line. “You really like him, don’t you?”
“Yeah, Mom. I really do.”
“Will you both come to dinner again soon? Once everything has calmed down, of course. I don’t want to put any more pressure on your shoulders.”
“We’d love to. Thank you, Mom. Thank you for accepting him and?—”
“Freya, I love you so much. I will always support you, even if I don’t completely agree with your decisions.”
“Well, seeing as you approve of Cole, maybe we’re past all that.”
She laughs. “Here’s hoping. I should let you go. You’ve got a man to hang out with before he’s off again.”
Sadness and a little bit of fear tug at my chest at the thought of him leaving me alone for the first time after all this. I know I could retreat to Mom and Dad’s. But…I don’t want to. I haven’t done anything wrong; I refuse to hide and cower like I’m the guilty party here.
“I’ll call you tomorrow?”
“You got it. Say hi to Cole for me.”
“I will. Enjoy your evening. And please, try to stay off the internet,” I mock. Despite knowing most of it is lies, Mom can’t help herself. She loves a bit of celebrity gossip. Always has and always will.
“You too. Just maybe…get to know each other a little more before you make me a grandmother.”
“Mom,” I gasp, making her laugh, and reminding me that I really need to book a doctor’s appointment to get back on birth control.
She’s still chuckling as we hang up.
I lower my cell to my lap, smiling as I look out at the view. The sun is setting, casting a pretty pink hue over the city.
Eventually, I look down at my notifications. I don’t have a whole lot, probably way less than Cole, but Casey and Parker have both called and left messages, so has Summer, telling me the gossip has made its way across the pond. I’ve got some missed calls from unknown numbers, which are going to find themselves blocked real fast. I send a message to our girls’ group chat to let them know that we’re both okay and that we’ll catch up soon, before replying to Summer to reassure her as well.
I don’t bother waiting for replies; instead, I abandon my cell on the chair and go in search of my man.
His bedroom is empty, so I continue down the hallway toward the part of the apartment I still haven’t explored.
One of the doors is ajar, and I step up to it. Nerves flutter in my belly as I lift my hand and knock.
I know it’s probably silly—the door is open, and it’s not like he’s ever told me I can’t come down here.
“Yeah,” Cole calls. I press my palm against the heavy wooden door and reveal the most incredible office space.
He’s sitting at a huge walnut desk that’s in front of another set of floor-to-ceiling windows. The walls are covered in bookcases and shelves. My eyes scan over everything, trying to take it all in.
Cole’s entire life and career are showcased in this room. Trophies, photos, framed jerseys. I get my first look at him as a little boy, a pre-teen, and all the way to the man who is sitting at his desk with his eyes burning into me.
